Tracker-bar mechanism.



T. 'DANQUARD. I TRACKER BAR MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23,1906.

8m 1 1 1 ,0 mm sm w rw. w a fl m IT, m m hmv 2 T DANQUARD TRACKER BAR MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23,1906. 902 A178, Patented Oct. 27,1908. Lg {5 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wang mad I 57 atfiwma .5

UNITED STATES PrglENT OFFICE THOMAS DANQUARD, OF NEW YORK, N, Y., ASSI GNOR TO AUTOPIANO COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TRACKER-BAB- MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, THOMAS DANQUARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New 'York, in the county of New York and State provision of a tracker-bar for one range of notes which is preferably stationary, and a movable tracker-bar for another; the movable tracker-bar lifting the music sheet off of.

the other bar when it is advanced, and being withdrawn from the music sheetwhen it is retracted. I also emplo means for closing the channels in the trac er-bar which is to be inactive.

Reference is to be ing drawings which illustrate two forms in which my invention may be embodied, and

- in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of an instrument showing one form. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2

showing the arts in a difierent position. Fig. 4 is an e evation of a portion of an instrument showing another form in which the invention may be embodied, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same.

The invention is shown-as beingprovided with the usual musicrolls 10-and'1'1 and between'them a tracker-bar 12 which; may be of any ordinary construction." This trackerbar may be provided'with the usual number of channels or with any other number, and is preferably stationary. V

For the purpose of enabling the instrument to be layed with music sheets perfo-- rated on a ifferent scale from those which are used with the tracker-bar 12, I have provided another tracker-bar 13 having a different number of channels. This tracker-bar is made movable in guides 14 so that it may be placed in a position forward of the tracker tracker-bars to had to the accompany bar 12 or behind it. When placed forward,

it is intended to lift the music sheet passing from one roll to the other to such a degree that the sheet will not engage the bar 12. When it is moved behind it, it is intended to be moved sufliciently to be out of engagement with the music sheet as it passes naturally'over the bar 12. This is preferably accompllished by moving the bar 13 along a line para el with thebar; 12 or in other words, perpendicular to its front face. This explains the general nature of the invention and the operation thereof.

For the pur ose of permitting the two e used in a convenient manner, the channels of the bar 12 are connected by stationary rigid tubes 15 with channels 16. The channels of the movable barare rigidly connected with the same set of channels 16 by means of flexible tubes 17. I

The parts so far described are common to the two forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings.

Ihave also provided for covering the channels of the inactive bar so as to prevent the passage of air therethrough. This means is shown in different forms in the two sets of figures. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it comprises a movable cap-plate 18, in this instance shown as pivotally mounted upon a sliding strip 19 located between the tracker-bars and reci rocable their full width. At the ends of t e tracker-bars stationary blocks 20 are mounted, and a pair of springs 21 are provided,

connected with the strip 19 for forcin the latter onto theblocks 20, these springs eing capable of yielding to permit the strip to advanes.

The tracker-bar 13 is provided with a hook with the strip 19 between t e two trackerbars during the travel of the tracker-bar 13,

the spring tends to move the cap-plate over the tracker-bar 13, and when the latter is retracted far enough to permit this operation it will be performed automatically by the spring. v

1"..Tl1e movement of the tracker-bar 13 in an outward direction first results in swinging the cap-plate away from the channels in the i tracker-bar and later gives motion to the strip 19 and cap-plate with the tracker-bar, caused by the hooks 22.

\Vhen the cap-plate reaches a position in which it can over-lap the stationary trackerbar 12, the force of the spring 23 normally prevents it from assuming this position, and, therefore, I have shown a pair of deflecting plates 24 against which the cap-plate engages to cause it to be swung over toward the tracker-bar 12. After it has been swung past the center, the spring 23 will act in the other direction to force the cap-plate onto the bar and hold it there under some tension.

It is to be noted that the cap-plate is provided with concaved surfaces 25 on both sides, or fitting the convex surface of the tracker-bars, when tracker-bars of that shape are employed. Furthermore, the motion of' the tracker bar 13 is preferably sufiicient in extent in both directions to prevent the music sheet engaging the cap-plate which is in position over the channels of the tracker bar which is inactive. v

A handle 26 is shown for manipulating the tracker-bar 13, and it will be observed that all the motions of the tracker-bar, cap-plate and music sheet are performed by the simple manipulation of this handle.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a some what simpler arrangement of cap-plate is shown, but one which operates automatically only in part. In this form a pair of capplates 18 and 19 are employed.

The cap plate 18 is mounted on a slide 20 which has a spring 21 engaging a projection 22 from the cap plate to force it over the face of the tracker-bar when the slide is advanced. A lever 23 is provided for manipulating the slide. The cap-plate 19 is mounted on a lever 24, and a spring 25 is employed for automatically forcing it over the tops of the channels in the bar 13 when the latter is retracted for shutting them off.

While I have illustrated and described two particular forms in which my invention may e embodied, I am aware that many modifications may be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.. In a music playing device, the combination of a stationary tracker-bar, a movable tracker-bar, and a guide for the movable tracker-bar parallel therewith and extending both in front of and behind the front face of the stationary bar, whereby the movable bar may be advanced in front of or retracted behind the stationary bar.

2. In a music playing device, the combination of a stationary tracker-bar with a movable tracker-bar reciprocable arallel with and both in front of and behin the station ary tracker-bar:

3. In a music playing device, the combination of a stationary tracker-bar, a trackerbar movable'to position in front of and behind the first bar, and. means for automatically closing the channels in each tracker-bar when the other is beyond it.

4. In a music playing device, the combination of a set of rnnary pneumatic-s a stationary trackerer, and a movable independent tracker-bar, the channels of the two tracker-bars being connected with the set of primary pneumatics.

5. In a music playing device, the combina tion of a stationary tracker-bar with a movable tracker-bar reciprocable to a position in front of and behind the first named bar, and means for automatically closing the channels of the first bar when the movable bar is moved beyond it, and of the movable bar when it is retracted behind the first bar.

6. In a music playing device, the combination of a stationary tracker-bar, a movable tracker-bar, a cap*plate, and means for automatically moving the cap late over the channels in each of the bars w en it is in a position beyond the other.

7. In a music playing device, the combination of a pair of tracker-bars one of which is movable, a cap-plate therefor, and means operable by the movement of one bar for re moving the cap-plate alternately from each bar when in advance of the other and apply ing it to the other bar.

8. In a music playing device, the combination of a tracker-bar, a sliding strip, a cap plate pivotally connected with the sliding strip, and means for swinging the cap-plate over the tracker-bar.

9. In a music playing device, the combination of a movable trackerbar, a sliding strip, resilient means for normally forcin the strip to the rear of said bar, means on t iebar for moving the strip forward with it, a cap-plate on the strip, and a spring adapted to force the cap plate over the bar.

10. In a music playing device, the combination of a pair of tracker-bars one of which is movable, a sliding strip, a cap-plate pivotally connected with the sliding strip,- and means for swinging the caplate over one of.

the bars when it is behinr t e other.

11. In a music playing device, the combination of a pair of tracker-bars one of which is movable, a sliding stri between the bars, yielding means for norma ly forcing said strip towards the rear of the bars, meanson one of the bars for moving the strip therewith, and a cap- )late on the strip for covering the channels of the bars.

12. In a music laying device, the combination of a pair 0 tracker-bars one of which Ill) is movable, a sliding strip located between 1 them, resilient means for normally forcin the strip to the rear of said bars, means on l one of the bars for moving the strip forward with it, a cap-plate on the strip, and a spring adapted to force the cap-plate on either bar.

13. In a music playing device, the combination of a pair of tracker-bars one of which is movable, a sliding strip mounted between them, a cap-plate pivotally connected with said strip, resilient means for normally forcing the strip against the surface of one of said bars, a deflector for swinging the strip in the opposite direction when the last named bar is moved into an advanced position, said resilient means being adapted to force the capplate onto the other bar after it is deflected by said plate.

14. In a music playing device, the combination of a movable trackerbar,-a cap-plate therefor, resilient means tending to force the cap-plate over the movable bar when the latter is retracted into inactive position, and means for moving the bar forward, the move- 1 ment of the bar forcing the cap-plate away i from the channels thereof.

15. In a music playing device, the combi-- nation of a tracker-bar, a cap-plate for the spaced according to different scales, said ele' ments being mounted one behind the other along the path of travel of the controller; means for moving said elements relatively to each other to protrude either at will beyond the other toward the controller; a single set of tubes and means by which they communicate with the ducts of both elements; a valve bar for closing the duct-mouths of one of said.

elements hinged and operated by the relative movement of said elements for swinging to andfrom such duct-closing position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the witnesses.

THOMAS DANQUARD. [1,. 8.]

Witnesses FRED PFANNSLIEHT, W'. J. BARTENSTEIN.

the cap-plate presence of two subscribing 50 

